By Nasik Swami Inflation is hurting, and small businesses in the region are doing it tough. That’s the word from Member of Parliament Tony Pasin, who says the increasing costs of doing business in regional towns are forcing the closure of many small businesses. “More than 150,000 Australian small businesses will see their electricity bills increase by up to $1,310 a year,” Mr Pasin claimed. He said fuel prices were 9.5 percent higher this month than they were in April 2022. “Interest rates are impacting businesses as well as households. Households are having to exercise restraint. “All these increased costs are squeezing small businesses profits while they are still recovering from losses incurred during the pandemic.” He said many businesses could not absorb the increased costs anymore. “The Labor government had an opportunity in last month’s budget to deliver for our small businesses, and they didn’t. “Instead, they delivered a […]